Tom Straker is a young Australian fast bowler who plays for the Adelaide Strikers. Born on 19 March 2005 in Caringbah, NSW, he’s one of the most exciting pace prospects in the country. Straker shot to fame at the 2024 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where his 6 for 24 against Pakistan in the semi-final — the best figures ever in an Under-19 World Cup semi-final or final — helped Australia reach the final. (Some sources list him as “Toby Straker” — Tom is his correct name.)
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tom Straker |
| Born | 19 March 2005, Caringbah, NSW |
| Country | Australia |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium |
| BBL team | Adelaide Strikers |
| State team | Queensland |
Background: Country, Early Life and Domestic Roots
Straker is a New South Welshman by birth — born in Caringbah, in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire — but a Queenslander by contract. He came through NSW junior cricket and was part of the NSW Metro side that won the Australian national Under-19 title in December 2023. That summer he was picked for Australia’s Under-19 World Cup squad, and his life changed in South Africa.
He made his Australia U19 debut against England in January 2023 and toured England with the side that July. He’s a right-arm medium-pace bowler and right-handed batter — not the quickest, but skiddy, accurate, and brave. After the World Cup, Queensland signed him on a rookie contract in April 2024, and he moved north to start his professional career.
The Under-19 World Cup Heroics
This is the spell that made his name. Straker hadn’t played in Australia’s three games leading into the 2024 semi-final against Pakistan at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, but with frontline seamer Charlie Anderson a tough omission, he got the nod — and produced a spell for the ages.
First change, he wrecked Pakistan’s top order after Australia chose to field. Then he came back at the death and cleaned up the tail with two consecutive stump-destroying yorkers — leg stump flying on both balls. He finished with 6 for 24 as Pakistan were bowled out for 179, and was named Player of the Match. His figures beat Kagiso Rabada’s 6 for 25 from 2014 as the best ever in an Under-19 World Cup semi-final or final.
He wasn’t done. In the final against India, Straker took the last wicket to seal the trophy for Australia. At 18, he’d already won a World Cup. The chase had been tense — Australia needed 16 off 24 balls with one wicket left before Raf MacMillan and Callum Vidler got them home — but Straker’s semi-final had made it possible.
International Career
Straker hasn’t played senior international cricket yet — he’s 21 and early in his professional career. But a World Cup-winning youth pedigree and a Player of the Match award in a global semi-final is exactly the kind of thing that gets you noticed.
Test Career
No Tests. He’s still building his first-class body of work — 13 matches, 29 wickets — and the road to the Baggy Green is long. But tall, accurate seamers who swing it late always interest Australian selectors.
ODI Career
No ODIs. His List A record (10 matches, 15 wickets at 34.60) is developing nicely, and white-ball cricket might be where he breaks through first.
T20I Career
No T20Is. He hasn’t made his BBL debut yet either — but the Strikers clearly see him as a white-ball prospect, and BBL|16 could be his chance.
Domestic Career
After the World Cup, Queensland moved quickly: a rookie contract in April 2024, then his List A debut for the Bulls on 25 September 2024 against Tasmania, then his Sheffield Shield debut on 8 October 2024 against Western Australia. His best figures in his debut season were 4 for 87 against NSW. He was upgraded to a full-time Queensland contract in May 2025.
The numbers are building: in 13 first-class matches he’s taken 29 wickets at 35.58 with a best of 4 for 32, and his economy rate of 3.19 is impressively tight for a young seamer. In 10 List A matches he’s taken 15 wickets at 34.60 with a best of 4 for 50. He’s become a regular for his state, and his ability to swing the ball late has been a hallmark of his game so far.
BBL Career — The Strikers Signing
On 1 December 2025, the Adelaide Strikers signed Straker to complete their BBL|15 squad. He joined a pace attack featuring international stars like Hassan Ali, Luke Wood and Jamie Overton, with Tim Paine mentoring the squad. “I am very excited to be part of the Adelaide Strikers,” he said. “It’s another opportunity to develop my skills and I’m really excited to be a part of the team, learning from Tim Paine and our experienced squad. I’m looking forward to playing at Adelaide Oval in front of all the fans.”
With a strong bowling cartel at the Strikers — the overseas trio plus Jordan Buckingham, Liam Scott and Henry Thornton — his BBL debut may still be around the corner. But at 21, with his World Cup pedigree and a full Queensland contract, he’s a long-term prospect the club rates highly. He’s listed in the Strikers’ BBL|16 squad.
Playing Style and Strengths
Straker is a tall seamer who hits the pitch hard and swings the ball late — that late swing is his signature. His control is impressive for a young bowler: an economy rate of 3.19 in first-class cricket shows he doesn’t give it away. And that 6 for 24 came on the biggest stage of his life — he handles pressure.
He’s not the finished product yet. The average of 35.58 needs to come down, and he’ll need to add a yard of pace or even more movement to trouble top-level batters. But the raw materials — height, swing, control, temperament — are obvious. The yorkers that finished Pakistan in the semi-final showed he has the killer instinct too.
Recent Form and What to Watch
Straker’s domestic numbers keep improving — he’s become a regular for Queensland, and his List A record is healthier than his first-class one so far, which suggests the white-ball game might be where he breaks through first. BBL|16 could be his season if he forces his way into that Strikers attack.
Watch for whether he gets his BBL debut this season, his new-ball partnership potential with the Strikers’ international quicks, and whether he can push his first-class average down as he gains experience. The World Cup hero is growing up — and the next chapter is the most interesting one.
Career Statistics
First-Class Career (Queensland)
| Matches | Wickets | Avg | Econ | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 29 | 35.58 | 3.19 | 4/32 |
List A Career (Queensland)
| Matches | Wickets | Avg | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 15 | 34.60 | 4/50 |
Under-19 World Cup 2024 (Semi-Final)
| Opponent | Figures | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan, Benoni | 6/24 | Player of the Match |
Last verified: 18 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tom Straker?
Tom Straker is a young Australian fast bowler who plays for the Adelaide Strikers and Queensland. He was the star of Australia’s 2024 Under-19 World Cup win, taking 6 for 24 in the semi-final. Some sources list him as “Toby Straker” — Tom is his correct name.
What did Straker do at the Under-19 World Cup?
In the 2024 semi-final against Pakistan at Benoni, Straker took 6 for 24 — the best figures ever in an Under-19 World Cup semi-final or final, beating Kagiso Rabada’s record. He was Player of the Match and took the final wicket in the final as Australia beat India.
Which BBL team does Straker play for?
The Adelaide Strikers. He signed on 1 December 2025 to complete their BBL|15 squad and is listed in their BBL|16 squad. He represents Queensland at state level.
See the BBL 2027 schedule for Strikers fixtures, meet the other BBL 2027 teams, and check the BBL 2027 points table once the season starts. Read about fellow Striker Thomas Kelly and the club’s big signing Ben Stokes.